As a first-time pet owner, you definitely want a dog who is cute and adorable, a good companion, and at the same time, obedient and easy to train. If you are looking for such a dog, you should consider getting yourself the Black Pug. What exactly is a Black Pug?
A Black Pug is a version of the popular Pug breed that comes with a shiny, black coat. While Pugs, in general, have been popular for over 2,000 years, the Black Pug was popularized by Queen Victoria, who owned several of them.
If you are considering purchasing the Black Pug, it is crucial for you to know all the important information pertaining to this adorable little doggie. In this article, I am going to share all the important information about the Black Pug, including its health problems, its temperament, and how to care for the pooch. Before we get to that, however, let’s take a look at the characteristics of the Black Pug.
What Are The Black Pug Characteristics?
Appearance
Like other Pugs, the Black Pug is a small, stocky pooch with a barrel-shaped body and short legs. The most distinguishing feature of the Black Pug is its round head and flat face coupled with a short snout that is covered in wrinkly skin. This is typical of brachycephalic dogs. The Black Pug also has large, bulging eyes, small ears, and a curled tail.
Height And Weight
The Black Pug is considered to be a toy dog breed because it is relatively small in size.
A fully-grown adult Black Pug stands at a height of about 10 to 13 inches (25 – 33 cm) tall, and weighs about 14 to 18 lbs (6.3 – 8.1 kg). Generally, female Black Pugs are smaller than males.
Sometimes, a Black Pug can weigh more than 18 lbs, since they tend to get overweight quickly if they are overfed. Keep track of their weight with a puppy weight growth chart.
Color
This is the main distinguishing factor between the Black Pug and the Fawn pug. As you can tell from the name, the Black Pug is black in color. In most cases, the Black Pug will have a shiny, jet-black coat from head to toe. Sometimes, however, a Black Pug might have some white markings on its chest, which are referred to as mismark.
When looking for a Black Pug, it is important not to confuse brindle for black. Brindle is a coat coloring that is a combination of black and brown stripes. Pugs with a brindle coat do not fall under the Black Pug breed.
Coat
Most Black Pugs come with a single coat, though it is not uncommon for some Black Pugs to have a double coat. Black Pugs with a single coat shed less than those with a double coat.
Is A Black Pug Rare? How Much Is A Black Pug Worth?
Compared to other Pug colors, the Black Pug is relatively rare.
Actually, the black color of Black Pugs was originally thought to be a birth defect, and most pet owners avoided Black Pugs. However, this has since changed, and Black Pugs are now highly sought after.
It is good to note that the Black Pug is not the rarest Pug. So, what is the rarest Pug color? The Silver Pug is the rarest type of Pug, and actually, I’ve yet to come across a Silver-colored Pug.
While Black Pugs are not that rare, the fact that they are not as common as Fawn Pugs means that breeders will try to convince you that they are rare. As a result, they will usually charge you a higher price for them. Generally, a healthy Black Pug puppy will cost you between $500 to $1,000, though the price can sometimes go as high as $3,000.
The price will depend on where you are buying your Black Pug puppy, as well as your intended use for the puppy. If you are buying a show-quality Black Pug, you can expect to pay more than you would for a Black Pug puppy that you only intend to keep as a pet.
The reason behind the high prices for Black Pug puppies is because they are born through C-section. Therefore, breeders will usually charge higher prices to cover the costs of surgery for the mother, which usually range between $500 to $2,000.
Do Black Pugs Have More Health Problems?
Originally, people thought that the black color on Black Pugs was a birth defect, and therefore, it was assumed that Black Pugs have more health problems than Fawn Pugs. However, it was later discovered that the only difference between Black Pugs and Fawn Pugs is their color.
That said, Black Pugs experience the same health problems that affect other Pugs. These include:
Breathing Problems
While the flat, wrinkled and mushy face of the Black Pug makes them adorable, it sometimes causes obstructions in their airways, making it difficult for them to breathe. This condition is known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.
Eye Problems
The large, bulging eyes of the Black Pug are caused by shallow eye sockets due to the Pug’s small skull. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to various eye problems, such as corneal ulcers.
Luxating Patella
Pugs are prone to a condition known as luxating patella, which is characterized by a dislocated kneecap. This condition causes lots of pain and leads to walking difficulties.
Screw Tails
Pugs have a distinct, curvy tail referred to as a screw tail. While the tail looks cute, it is actually caused by a gene defect that causes the vertebrae in the tail to twist. Ordinarily, this is not a problem. Sometimes, however, the twisting of the vertebrae can start further up the spine, leading to a condition known as Hemivertebrae.
Lifespan
Before getting a Black Pug, most people want to know how long Black Pugs live. Despite the health problems covered above, the lifespan of a Black Pug is about 12 to 15 years.
How To Take Care Of A Black Pug?
Proper care is important if you want to keep your Black Pug healthy, strong, and happy. Here are some things to watch out for when it comes to caring for your four-legged friend.
Feeding Requirements
You should keep your Black Pug on a diet that is low in carbs and high in protein. As I mentioned, Pugs tend to gain weight easily, and therefore a high-carb diet can easily make your canine obese.
I recommend feeding your Black Pug with dog food from Pet Plate. Their dog food is made from all natural ingredients, it is designed by a vet nutritionist, and is cooked in a USDA facility. In addition, it comes in different flavors and comes in pre-portioned containers. Read more about our review of Pet Plate right here and get a 30% discount with us.
Exercise Requirements
The Black Pug is a very playful dog, and therefore, you need to make sure your little pooch is getting enough playtime. However, Black Pugs don’t need too much exercise. Anywhere between 30 and 40 minutes of playtime per day is enough.
When exercising your Black Pug, you should vary your route regularly to keep your furry friend stimulated. In addition, you should use a harness instead of a leash when walking your Black Pug, since leashes can easily put pressure on their throat.
It is also recommended that you take your Black Pug for a walk in the mornings or evenings when it is cooler. Due to their black coat, Black Pugs heat up quickly, and therefore, walking them when it’s hot can make them uncomfortable.
Temperament Of A Black Pug
One of the major concerns for people looking to get a Black Pug is their temperament, especially considering the popular belief that Black Pugs are very mischievous. So, are Black Pugs naughtier than other Pugs?
There is no difference between the Black Pug and the Fawn Pug except their color, and therefore, the temperament of a Black Pug is similar to that of a Fawn Pug. Here is what you can expect from your Black Pug…
Charming And Attention Loving
Black Pugs are charming little dogs that love lots of attention. They absolutely love it when you show them lots of love. Fortunately, they also know how to show love in return, and will want to spend time cuddling on your lap. They can also be a bit mischievous, though they are not any more mischievous than other Pugs.
Due to their love for attention, they easily develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. When they get lonely, they will start chewing on your furniture, carpet, and shoes.
Very Friendly
Black Pugs are very friendly little doggies. They will get along well with just about anyone, from your kids and other pets to complete strangers.
Intelligent But Stubborn
Black Pugs are very intelligent dogs. They learn commands and tricks quickly and can easily read your emotions. However, they can also be a bit stubborn, which can make them difficult to train, especially if you do not know their likes and dislikes.
Due to their intelligence, they also get bored quickly, so you need to mix things up for them when training them. Otherwise, they will stop paying attention.
Related Questions
Can 2 Fawn Pugs Have A Black Puppy? No. The Fawn gene is recessive. In Fawn Pugs, both genes are Fawn, so two Fawn Pugs cannot produce a Black Pug. So, what happens if you breed a Fawn Pug with a Black Pug? In this case, the puppies will be either black or fawn, depending on whether the Black Pug is a dominant black or a hybrid black.
What Is The Best Pug Cross Breed? The best Pug cross breed for you will ultimately depend on what you are looking for in a dog. That said, however, some Pug crossbreeds tend to be very popular. These include:
- Jug (Pug and a Jack Russell)
- Shug (Pug and a German Shepherd – the very same breed that the 46th POTUS has)
- Daug (Pug and Dachshund)
- Pugalier (Pug and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)
What Colour Pug Is Better? Save for their color differences, there is no other difference between different colored Pugs. Therefore, the best Pug color will depend on your likes and preferences. Provided that you take precautions to ensure you are getting a healthy Pug, you can go for whatever color pleases you.
